Sony DSC-P73 Review
By: Steve's Digicams
Review posted 6/24/2004
Click on the P73 for a 360° QTVR tour
It's definitely 2004 when you can buy a 4-megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom lens that takes great pictures for just $300. Sony's new Cyber-shot DSC-P73 is no stripped-down "entry-level" camera, it sports features like a 5-point auto focus system, manual exposure control, multi-pattern metering, scene modes, histogram display and a fast image processor that allows it to capture up to 4 Fine mode images per burst.
The compact and stylish DSC-P73 lets you compose your shots with the optical viewfinder or use the high-resolution 1.5-inch color LCD monitor. In addition to 4-megapixel still images the DSC-P73 captures full motion video in VGA resolution at 30fps with sound (requires Memory Stick Pro media.) Want more wide angle or telephoto coverage? Sony has a wide angle and two telephoto conversion lenses made especially for the DSC-P73 (and the 5-megapixel DSC-P93) as well as a host of 30mm filters.
The DSC-P73 is powered by a pair of standard AA type batteries, Sony includes a set of 2100 mAh rechargeable NiMH batteries that can capture up to 410 pictures. Also included is a NiMH charger that handles a pair of AA or AAA size cells. Downloading images and movies to your computer is simple and fast thanks to its high-speed USB 2.0 interface. And you can use the same USB cable to print directly to the Sony DPP-EX50 Picture Station or any of today's PictBridge-enabled photo printers, no computer is necessary.
DSC-P73 Major Features:
- Sony 4.1 Megapixel effective CCD image sensor
- Sony 3x Zoom (38-114mm equivalent in 35mm photography)
- Still Image: 2304x1728, 2304(3:2), 2048x1536, 1280x960, 640x480
- MPEG Movie: 640x480 VX Fine w/audio at 30fps (Memory Stick Pro required),
640x480 VX at 16fps, length limited only by media
- Auto, Program AE, Manual plus Scene modes
- Live histogram display in capture and playback
- 5 Area Multi-point AF; auto or selectable Spot AF point
- 1.5" TFT color (67,000 pixels) LCD Screen with Auto Brightness
- ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100, 200, 400
- Adjustable color saturation, contrast and sharpness
- Noise Reduction: Automatically cleans up long exposure images
- 14bit A/D Conversion - allows a wider dynamic range from highlight to shadow
- Built-in flash with Auto Fill, Red Eye Reduction and Slow Synchro
- USB 2.0 Auto-Connect to host computer
- Audio-Video output for display on TV sets
- Powered by two AA batteries, NiMH and charger included
- Memory Stick & Memory Stick Pro compatible to 1GB, 16MB included
- DPOF and PictBridge direct-print USB compatible
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Physical Views
The DSC-P73 and a CD for size comparison.
The 5-megapixel DSC-P93 and the 4-megapixel DSC-P73.
Sony DSC-P73 Specifications
| Image Device: |
1/2.7" 4.1 Megapixel Effective Sony Super HAD™ CCD | | Still Image Sizes: |
4M 2304x1728
3:2 2304x1536
3M 2048x1536
1M 1280x960
VGA 640x480 | | Recording Media: |
Memory Stick Media (16MB included) or Memory Stick PRO Media up to 1GB. | | Zoom: |
Sony 3X Optical, 6 - 18mm (39-117mm equivalent), 5 elements in 7 groups with 2 aspheric elements | | Smart Zoom™ Feature: |
0 - 3.6X (at VGA Resolution), 10.8X Total | | Digital Zoom: |
Precision, 0 - 2.0X Range, 6X Total | | Filter Diameter: |
30mm (requires VAD-PEB lens adapter) | | Auto Focus: |
5 Area Multi-Point AF, Center AF, 5-Step Manual
Minimum Focus Distance: 19.7" (50cm)
Macro Focus Distance: 3.9" (10cm) | | Shutter Speed: |
1/8 - 1/1000 sec. (auto/program)
2 - 1/1000 sec. (twilight)
30 - 1/1000 sec. (manual, 46 steps) | | Aperture Range: |
F2.8 - F5.6 (W), F5.2 - F10 (T) | | Exposure Compensation: |
+/- 2.0 EV, 1/3 EV Steps | | Color LCD: |
1.5" 67K pixel color TFT LCD Screen | | Flash Modes: |
Auto/Forced On/Forced Off/Slow Synchro Red-Eye Reduction: On/Off | | Flash Effective Range: |
1.6 - 12.5 ft. (0.5 - 3.8m) | | White Balance: |
Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash | | Burst Mode: |
4 Shot (4M JPEG fine), 7 Shot (3M JPEG std.), 1.6fps | | Picture Effects: |
Sepia, Black & White | | ISO: |
Auto, 100, 200, 400 | | Scene Modes: |
Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Soft Snap, Candle, Beach | | Self-Timer: |
10 Seconds | | Video Output: |
NTSC/PAL Selectable | | Still Image Modes: |
Normal (JPEG Fine/Standard), Burst, Multi-Burst | | MPEG Movie Mode: |
MPEG VX Fine with Audio (640 x 480 at 30fps),
(MPEG VX Fine requires Memory Stick PRO media)
MPEG VX Standard with Audio (640 x 480 at 16fps),
Video Mail (160 x 112 at 8fps) with Audio | | Microphone/Speaker: |
Yes/Yes | | USB Terminal: |
Supports USB 2.0 | | Cradle Compatible: |
No | Memory Stick PRO™
Media Compatibility: |
Tested to support up to 1GB media capacity; does not support Access Control security function | | Compatible Battery: |
AA type; alkaline, NiMH, lithium
Sony 2100 mAh NiMH and BC-CS2 charger are included | | Supplied Software: |
Picture Package™ for Sony ver 1.0 (Windows), Pixela ImageMixer VCD2 (Mac), SPVD-012.1 USB Driver, Cyber-shot Life tutorial (Windows) | | OS Compatibility: |
Microsoft® Windows® 98/98SE/Me/ 2000/XP Home/XP Pro
Macintosh® OS 9.1/9.2/X (10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) | | Supplied Accessories: |
2100mAh AA NiMH batteries, BC-CS2 charger, A/V and USB Cables, Wrist Strap, 16MB
Memory Stick Media, Software CD-ROM | | Dimensions: |
4 5/8" x 2 1/8" x 1 3/8" (117 x 54 x 36 mm) | | Weight: |
6.4 oz (175 g), 8.6 oz (236 g) with batteries and memory card |
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NOTE: Specifications as represented by the manufacturer.
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